Touro Law Center and the Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University are each one significant step closer to launching programs for students interested in studying the intersection of law and medicine, thanks to new $1 million grants from the Kermit Gitenstein Foundation.
Touro Law will use the grant to establish an eponymous visiting chair in health law and policy. The gift comes as the school is collaborating with New York Medical College on developing a health law and policy curriculum. The medical college is part of the Touro College and University system. "We are deeply grateful for this generous gift," Touro Law Dean Patricia Salkin said in a statement. "It will enable us to attract world renowned scholars in health law and policy to enrich the offerings for our students as we are expanding our curriculum in this area." Beginning in 2014, the Touro chair will bring a visiting professor for one semester each academic year.
Hofstra Law Dean Eric Lane said the money would be put toward programs shaped by the principles of equal access to high quality, low cost medical care.
The Nassau County-based foundation was formed by attorney Kermit Gitenstein in 1969 to benefit Long Island schools and health systems. It is headed by Steven Schlesinger, managing partner at Jaspan Schlesinger, a Hofstra Law alum and a member of Touro Law's board of governors.
